Lowry: This time was emotional

Young midfielder Hana Lowry said that it was “emotional” to receive the call-up for the CommBank Matildas after battling through injuries and setbacks since rupturing her ACL in 2024.

Lowry was called up for the first time in November of that year, only to be struck down with injury in the week leading up to the camp. Now, nearly two years on, she finally has her first opportunity to take part in a senior national team window.

“I got called up for the first time in November 2024, and then unfortunately, the day before I was going in, I tore my ACL in the game when I was playing for Sydney,” she recalled.

“That was obviously really tough. As a footballer, doing your ACL is not what you want. For it to happen the day before, it was going from a really big high to a really big low really quickly.

“It just makes this moment so special. It's been a long time since the ACL now, and I feel stronger, and I just feel really grateful to be here.”

Now playing for Norwegian side Våleranga, Lowry was lucky enough to have family in attendance during an away European fixture in Amsterdam when she received the news.

“This time was more emotional because of the injury and what happened,” she explained.

“My biggest goal after the injury was getting back and being here. So for myself and my family, it was a really special moment and really nice to share with them.

“I was with the team in Amsterdam. We had an away game, so that was really nice. I had all the girls with me, all the coaches, so they were all congratulating me. And then my parents were also in Amsterdam, so that was really nice to share it with them.”

She said that the potential to return to this stage was the biggest motivator in her recovery.

“It was probably the biggest motivation for me,” she said.

“The timing of it happening wasn't good, but I tried to use it as positive, use it as motivation to get back here. Through the tough times, it was just in the back of my mind, just to get back, get strong again, and get back to playing football.”

The West Australian product has enjoyed training so far, being able to connect with former teammates like Leticia McKenna.

“I obviously know quite a few girls, which has been really nice. It makes it a bit easier,” she explained.

“I'm really close with Leticia. We grew up together, so it's always nice having familiar faces in the team. And then obviously, I'm just really excited to learn from the senior players, and hopefully implement what they do in training.

“It was nice to get some touches on the ball again [at training] and just get the first one out the way, and I really enjoyed it. The quality is super high. I’m obviously nervous, but it was just nice to get the first session done, and I’m feeling good now.”

The upcoming games against Germany and Haiti are an opportunity for Lowry to take the field and earn her CommBank Matildas debut.

“It would mean everything to me,” she said.

“It's been my dream my whole life as a footballer. We’ll see. But that would be very special.”